New UAE Labour Law on Maternity Leave (Effective from February 2, 2022)

How is the UAE maternity leave calculated as per New UAE Labour Law on Maternity?

Under the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations, to be effective from February 2, 2022, women employees in UAE’s private sector will soon be able to avail various types of leaves and flexible work conditions. This initiative has been taken as a part of UAE’s efforts to empower women in the private sector as well as enhance workforce productivity and talent retention.

The new amendments in the law emphasize that all provisions regulating the employment of workers shall apply without discrimination to working women. Also, employers are to provide women with equal pay for the same job performed by men, with the value to be determined by the cabinet. Discrimination is also prohibited in terms of duties in the same workplace, hiring on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, nationality or disability.

In the new UAE Labour Law, the maternity leave in the private sector has been extended to 60 days including 15 days of half wage.

In case of a female worker or the newborn falling ill due to pregnancy or delivery female worker is eligible to receive 45 days in addition to her maternity leave without pay. Such illness shall be proved by a medical certificate issued by the medical institution and such period shall not be included in the period of the end of service calculation.

If the child is born with special needs (people of determination) then the female worker will be entitled to 30 days leaves with full pay commencing from the expiry of the maternity leave and renewable for another 30 days with no pay. This provision applies upon providing a medical report of the child’s case.

A female worker shall be entitled to maternity leave if delivery takes place after six months of pregnancy or above, whether the child is stillborn or born alive then died.